‘Alterman-gate’ Barely Gets Off The Ground

Nation columnist and prolific debater Eric Alterman is the new Judith Miller! Or, maybe not. At the Democratic debates last night, Alterman was apparently arrested (briefly!) for "criminal trespass" at an open bar.

From CNN.com:

Goffstown, N.H. police said Alterman was in the spin room as a guest of the Creative Coalition and went to an area reserved for a private reception for WMUR-TV. Police said he was asked by an executive at the party if he was invited to the private area and was asked to leave. A police officer was called after a verbal altercation ensued. According to police, Alterman was asked seven times to leave and became increasingly loud as he refused. After ignoring a final request, police said he was handcuffed and taken from the building.

Alterman appears to have given a significant interview to CNN.com's "Political Ticker" on the whole matter, which you can read here.

Though he was released after paying 30 dollars, he is vowing a fight to have the charges dropped.